Compiled by David A. Fearnley

WILFRED ABBOTT

Son of William and Mary Abbott(Harrison), Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield, (m. 7/6/1919 Wesleyan Methodist Mission Chapel, Church Road, Haydock, William, colliery dataller(casual labourer), 377 Church Road, Haydock. Mary, loom? tenter in cotton mill, 130 Bolton Road, Ashton).
Husband of Dorothy Abbott(Owen), St. Helens, (m. 10/4/1943 Christ Church, St. Helens, Wilfred, Sergeant, Observer RAF, 4 East Street, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton. Dorothy, 4 Thorn Road, St. Helens).
Wilfred Abbott :- Pilot Officer (Navigator) 175843 RAF (VR = Volunteer Reserve) 431 (Royal Canadian Air Force)Squadron.
Killed 18/7/1944, age 23. A Halifax III bomber from RAF Croft, North Yorkshire, attacked railway yards at Varies. It crashed near the centre of Creil, northern France, with the loss of all the crew.
Cramoisy Communal Cemetery, France.
( On Ashton Grammar School; St. Thomas'; Stubshaw Cross Independent Methodist Memorials )

HAROLD ALLEN

Son of Albert and Florence/Florrie Allen(Lawrenson), 26 Monica Terrace, Ashton in Makerfield, (m. St. Thomas, Upholland, Albert, collier, Elmers Green, Dalton. Florrie, Ormskirk Road, Upholland.
Husband of Phyllis Allen(Burrows), (m. 24/5/1941 Ragged School and Home Mission, Arthur Street, St. Helens, Harold, A/c No. 1058478 Royal Air Force (mining student), 26 Monica Terrace, Ashton. Phyllis, packer(bathroom fittings), 129 Woodville Street, St. Helens). ). Entered RAF 1940. Employed at Richard Evans & Co. Colliery.
Harold Allen :- Sergeant. (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner). 1058478 RAF (VR) 61 Sqd. Killed 20/8/1942, age 22.
Bilbao British Cemetery, Spain. Plot 2. Row A. Collective Grave 6 - 11.
( On St. Thomas'; Ashton Scouts; Ashton Central School Memorials )

ERNEST BATE

Son of William and Nellie Bate(Hesketh), 298 Golborne Road, Ashton in Makerfield. (m St Thomas, Golborne, 1905, William, coalminer, 10 May Street, Golborne. Nellie, 2 Edge Green Colliery Yard).
Husband of Jane Anne Bate(Lacey), 72 Lyme Street, Haydock(m. 13/12/1940 Church of the English Martyrs, Short Street, Haydock, Ernest, Trooper 7911621 Royal Lancers (motor lorry driver public contractor), 296 Golborne Road, Ashton. Jane Anne, 72 Lyme Street, Haydock). Employed by Albert Marsden haulage contractor (father of Harry Marsden - (see below).
Ernest Bate :- Trooper. 7911621. 12th Royal Lancers, Royal Armoured Corps. Died of wounds in Italy 29/5/1944, age 24.
Naples War Cemetery, Italy. II. A. 14.
( On St. Thomas' Memorial )

WILLIAM BOARDMAN

Son of Moses and Jane Elizabeth Boardman(Edwards), Ashton in Makerfield, (m. 4/8/1923 Holy Trinity, North Ashton, Moses, wagon builder, 58 Bryn Street, Ashton. Jane Elizabeth, 27 Whitledge Green, Ashton).
William was born 1925 the son of Moses and Jane Elizabeth Boardman, Florida Farm, Cottages, Pewfall (Haydock Lane ).
William Boardman :- Wireman. D/MX674004 RN. HMLCT 462(His Majesty's Landing Craft Tank 462). Died 1/10/1945 in India after an operation, age 19.
Madras War Cemetery, India. 9. F. 16.
( On Ashton Grammar School; St. Thomas' Memorials )

LEVI BOND

Son of Wilfred and Margaret Ann Bond(French), Ashton in Makerfield. (m. 14/5/1907 Holy Trinity, Wilfred, miner, Bryn Gates. Margaret Ann, Bryn Gates). Levi was born 1910 at 1 Beech Tree Houses, Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong. Margaret Ann French was the elder sister of William and James French. Both William and James were killed in World War One. William died in Mesopotamia 1916 aged 24, James was killed in action in France 1918 aged 23 (see St. Luke & St. Thomas Memorial Rolls WW1)
Husband of Catherine Bond(Wood), Ashton in Makerfield (m. St Thomas, Ashton 7/4/1934. Levi, miner, 550 Bolton Road. Catherine, 71 Heath Road). Leaves a wife and 4 children Jean(born 550 Bolton Road), Margaret, Cyril(born 69 Heath Road) and Marion.
Levi Bond :- Lance Corporal 7606505. 2/4th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Killed 29/12/1943 in Italy, age 33.
Minturo War Cemetery, Italy. IV. A. 6.
( On St. Thomas' Memorial )

CYRIL BOYERS

Son of Robert and Martha Boyers(Singleton), Ashton in Makerfield ( m. 25/7/1914 St Matthews, Pemberton, Robert, miner, 2 Willow Street. Martha Ellen, 8 Willow Street, Pemberton ). Cyril was born 1915. When Cyrils sister, Elsie, was born in 1923 the family lived at 7 Park Lane, Bryn.
Husband of Phyllis Boyers(Cunliffe), 3 Rose Hill Street, Bryn, (m. 14/11/1936 Church of Our Lady Immaculate, Downall Green Road, Bryn, Cyril, motor lorry driver, 7 Wigan Road. Phyllis, 4 Rosehill Street). Occupation - driver for the late Mr. J. Middlehurst, Billinge. Leaves a wife and 1 child James Cyril Boyers.
Cyril Boyers ;- Driver. T/189549 Royal Army Service Corps. Attatched HAA(Heavy Anti Aircraft Artillery) Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 26/4/1941 during the withdrawal from Greece, age 25. No known grave.
Athens Memorial, Greece. Face 8.
( On St. Thomas'; Ashton Central School; Our Lady's, Bryn, Memorials )

JOHN BYROM

Son of William and Lily Byrom(Griffiths), Golborne (m. 9/3/1918 St. Thomas, William, miner, 46 Old Road. Lily, Edge Green). John was born 1922 at Big Fold, Edge Green, Golborne.
John Byrom :- Signalman. D/SSV33022 RN "HMS Broadwater". Killed 19/10/1941, age 19. The destroyer "HMS Broadwater" on convoy duty was sunk by U-boat U-101 in the North West Approaches.
Londonderry City Cemetery, Northern Ireland. C of E Plot. Sec. F. Grave 15.
( On Leigh Street, Golborne; St. Thomas', Golborne and St. Thomas', Ashton Memorials)

HUGH CUTHBERT CRAIG

Son of John and Catherine Craig(Carney/Kearney), Ashton in Makerfield (m. St. Oswalds, Ashton 1/3/1919. John, 6 York Road. Catherine, 145 Bolton Road). Catherine was the daughter of John and Emma Carney, 4 Reservoir Street, Ashton in Makerfield. Hugh was born 1920 and had 2 brothers John and Thomas and 4 sisters Veronica, Jane, Marie Theresa and Bernadette.
Husband of Kathleen Daisy Craig(Buckman), Haslemere, Surrey.(m. Surrey 1941)
Hugh Cuthbert Craig :- Sergeant. 1169555 RAF (VR) 101 Squadron. Killed 9/7/1942, age 22. A member of the crew of a Wellington III bomber which took off from Bourn, Cambridgeshire, for a raid on Wilhelmshaven and was lost without trace. None of the 5 crew members has a known grave.
Runnymede Memorial, Surrey. Panel 80.
( On St. Thomas', Memorial )

ARTHUR CUNLIFFE

Unknown
The only Arthur Cunliffe recorded, by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, to have been killed in WW2 is a Arthur Cunliffe born and resident in Lancashire aged 29. Death 9/7/1943 to 10/7/1943. Private. Service No. 3603466. 1st (Airborne) Battalion Border Regiment. Killed in Sicily.
Named on Cassino Memorial, Sicily, Italy. Panel 7.
( a Arthur Cunliffe is on St. Thomas' Memorial ) (see below)

HENRY CUNLIFFE

Son of John and Sarah Ellen Cunliffe(Fairclough), Garswood Road, N. Ashton. (m 14/6/1913 Holy Trinity, John, collier, 376 Millfield Lane, Haydock. Sarah, Quaker Houses, Winstanley Road). Henry was born 1/1/1916 at 6 Crow Nest, Winstanley Road.
Husband of Dorothy Cunliffe(Hardman), 542 Bryn Road, Ashton in Makerfield (m. St Thomas 17/6/1939. Henry, miner, 506 Garswood Road, Garswood. Dorothy, 542 Bryn Road). Served in N. Africa and Italy. Leaves wife and 1 child (David Anthony). Attended St Andrews School, Garswood and Holy Trinity Church. Later a member of St Lukes choir, Stubshaw Cross. Employed Sankey Sugar Co., Earlestown.
Henry Cunliffe :- Fusilier. 3461428 2nd Battalion The Lancashire Fusiliers. Died of wounds in Palermo Hospital, Italy. 26/12/1942, age 27.
Catania War Cemetery, Sicily, Italy. III. L. 39.
( On St. Thomas'; Holy Trinity; North Ashton Village Club, Rectory Road, North Ashton Memorials )

HERBERT CUNLIFFE

Son of Kate Cunliffe(Ashurst), 129 Princess Road, Ashton and the late John Simm Cunliffe. (m. All Saints, Wigan, 12/6/1912. John, locksmith, 8 Victoria Road, Garswood. Kate, mill hand, 73 Delph Street, Wigan). Herbert was born 1919 at 66 Station Road, Garswood. Herbert joined the forces December 1939. To France 1940. Employed - metal assembler at Thomas Crompton & Son, Ashton. Late father John was a foreman at Cromptons. Attended St Thomas School and Central School.
Herbert Cunliffe :- Sapper. 1891840 159 Railway Construction Company, Royal Engineers. Lost in sinking of "SS Lancastria"(Liverpool) 17/6/1940, age 20.
During the evacuation of troops and civilians from St. Nazaire following Dunkirk, the passenger ship "SS Lancastria" was bombed and sunk with the loss of over 5,000 from the 9,000 on board.
Dunkirk Memorial. Column 24.
( On St. Thomas'; Ashton Central School Memorials )

RICHARD FREDERICK DAVIDSON

Son of Benjamin and Sarah Davidson(Grant), m. 1897 Sheffield. Born 4/12/1913. Baptism 24/12/1913 St. James, Haydock, Richard Frederick Davidson, son of Benjamin and Sarah Davidson, 104 Station Road, Haydock, collier. On enlistment Richards residence was in Nottingham.
Richard Frederick Davidson :- Private. 2754982 2nd Battalion The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment). Killed 21/11/1941, age 27.
Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Libya.
( On St. Thomas' Memorial )

LESLIE ARTHUR FROST

Son of Arthur Frederick and Alice Anne/Annie Frost(Nicholson), 323 Golborne Road, Ashton in Makerfield. (m. St. Thomas' 12/4/1908 Arthur Frederick, farmer, Golborne Road. Alice Annie, Bolton Road). Leslie was employed as a roundsman for Bryn Gates Cooperative Society. Attended St Lukes Church.
Leslie Arthur Frost :- Private. 3858746 1st Battalion The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire). Killed in action in Italy. 16/3/1944, age 25.
Cassino Memorial, Sicily, Italy.
( On St. Thomas' Memorial )

WILLIAM HAMPSON

Son of James Henry and Elizabeth Alice Hampson(Pickervance), 13 Laburnum Street, Ashton. (m. St. Thomas', Poolstock, 5/8/1905, James Henry, labourer, 7 Thompson Street. Elizabeth Alice, 12 Thompson Street).
Husband of Irene Hampson(Kelly),Ashton in Makerfield (m. St Thomas 14/9/1935. William, miner, 13 Laburnum Street. Irene of 14 Flora Street). Employed as a miner at Haydock colliery. Leaves a wife and 5 children (Joan, May(born 8 York Road), James H., Irene, Elizabeth Margaret Rose).
William Hampson :- Private. 3654997 1st Battalion The South Lancashire Regiment (The Prince of Wales Volunteers). Killed by a sniper just beyond the beaches during the invasion of France, D Day, 6/6/1944, age 31.
Hermanville War Cemetery, France. I. A. 16.
( On St. Thomas' Memorial )

WILLIAM HARRISON

Son of Thomas and Rebecca Harrison(Causey), (widow of William Wiseman; Rebecca originally came from Bryn Gates), 13 Ladysmith Avenue, Ashton. (m. St. Thomas', 3/4/1920, Thomas, miner, 71 Princess Road. Rebecca, 13 Ladysmith Avenue, Ashton). William was employed at the Sanitary Dept. Ashton UDC. Attended St Thomas School and Ashton Grammar School.
William Harrison :- Sergeant. 1514814 RAF (VR). Killed in a mid-air collision whilst on a training flight over London 2/9/1943, age 22.
Buried in St. Thomas' Churchyard, Ashton in Makerfield. Line 5. Grave 41.
( On St. Thomas'; Ashton Scouts; Ashton Grammar School Memorials )

JOHN HEATH

Son of Harold and Margaret Ellen Heath(Parry), 58 Morden Avenue, Ashton. (m St Thomas', 14/5/1910, Harold, miner, 18 Liverpool Road. Margaret Ellen, 90 Nicol Lane). John was born 1921 at 22 Toothill Street, Ashton in Makerfield. Employed - forgemaster at Thomas Crompton & Sons., Ashton in Makerfield.
John Heath :- Sergeant. 3655176 1st Battalion The Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Killed 19/9/1944 in Italy, age 24.
Coriano Ridge War Cemetery, Italy. XIX. L. 2.
( On St. Thomas' Memorial )

JAMES HEATON

Son of Herbert and Charlotte(Picton), Landgate, Ashton in Makerfield (m. 23/12/1911 Holy Trinity, Herbert, collier, 45 Station Road, Garswood. Charlotte, 26 Station Road, Garswood). In 1912 when their son Herbert Leslie was born they lived at 26 Station Road, Garswood.
James Heaton :- LAC(Leading Aircraftman)1475397 RAF (VR). Killed 4/12/1943 in North Africa, age 22.
Dely Ibrahim War Cemetery, Algeria. 22 4. D. 4.
( On St. Thomas' Memorial )

NORMAN CLIFFORD HILL

Son of Peter and Annie Hill(Moulsdale of Farnworth, Bolton), Ashton in Makerfield ( m. 13/2/1902 Wesleyan Chapel, Bispham, Wigan, Peter, widower, Life Insurance Superintendent, Garswood Road, Ashton. Annie, 24 Moss Road, Orrell ). Clifford was born 1907 and in 1911 lived with his parents and elder brother Rowland(8) at 146 Old Road, Ashton.
Husband of Alice Hill(Naylor), Ashton in Makerfield, (m. St Thomas 21/3/1943. Norman Clifford, 40 Low Bank Road. Alice, 6 Adamson Street). Employed as a compositor (setting type for printing).
Norman Clifford Hill :- AC 2 2207345(Aircraftman 2nd Class) RAF (VR) 5013 Airfield Construction Squadron. Died suddenly 8/12/1943 in a Cambridgeshire hospital, age 36.
Buried in St. Thomas' Churchyard, Ashton in Makerfield. Line 5. Grave 44.
( On St. Thomas' Memorial )

ARTHUR HOLLAND

Son of Mary Elizabeth Lowe(Holland nee Jones), and stepson of Abraham Lowe, 23 Duke Street, Ashton. Arthurs parents were Charles and Mary Elizabeth Holland(Jones) who were married 4/7/1914 at St. Peters, Westleigh, (Charles, collier, 34 Talbot Street, Golborne. Mary Elizabeth, 34 Talbot Street, Golborne). Arthur Holland, 34 Talbot Road, Golborne, was baptised 24/2/1915 at St. Peters, Westleigh. Charles Holland died and 5/4/1920 St. Peters, Westleigh, Mary Elizabeth Holland married Abraham Lowe, (Abraham Lowe, collier, 177 Princess Road, Ashton in Makerfield. Mary Elizabeth Holland, widow, 34 Talbot Road, Golborne, Leigh). Abraham Lowe was an elder brother of soldier Thomas Lowe, who died in an accident in Capetown, South Africa 27/4/1942 aged 36 (see below).
Husband of Joan Holland(Broadbent)(m. Oldham 1943). Employed as a miner then at Risley. Leaves wife and 1 child (Marian), at Werneth, Oldham.
Arthur Holland :- WO(Warrant Officer/Air Gunner) 1028124 RAF (VR) 44 Squadron. 7/7/1944, age 29. A Lancaster bomber from RAF Dunholme Lodge(Lincoln) attacked a flying bomb storage depot at St. Le-d'Esserent. The bomber came down in Equennes-Eramecourt and all the crew were buried in the local churchyard.
Equennes Churchyard, France.
( On St. Thomas' Memorial )

NORMAN HOLLAND

Son of Ellen Holland(Holland), 13 Church Street, Golborne. Foster son of Joseph and Jane Ann Naylor(Parkinson), Golborne. (m. 28/6/1919 Holy Trinity, North Ashton, Joseph, collier, 12 Stonecroft Terrace, Ashton. Jane Ann, pit brow worker, 43 Rectory Road).
Norman Holland :- Private. 3533023 1st Battalion The Manchester Regiment. Died as a POW of the Japanese. 21/9/1944, age 25.
Singapore Memorial.
( On St. Thomas' Memorial )

JAMES HUGHES

Son of Edwin and Annie Hughes(McDermott) 10 Mains Avenue, Bamfurlong (m. 24/12/1906, St, Johns, Abram, Edwin, miner, 210 Lily Lane, Bamfurlong. Annie, 9 Brynn Street, Bamfurlong). James attended Bryn Gates School and Central School. Employed at police mobile section at Kirkham.
James Hughes :- Sergeant. 2206716 RAF (VR) 408(Royal Canadian Air Force) Squadron. 25/4/1945, age 28. He was a member of the crew of a Halifax bomber which left Linton - on - Ouse, near York, to bomb gun positions at Wangerooge( one of the Frisian Isles in the North Sea, part of Germany and near the coasts of the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark ). The bomber collided in the target area with another Halifax resulting in the deaths of all 14 airmen from both aircraft.
Runnymede Memorial, Surrey. Panel 275.
( On Bamfurlong Methodist; St. Thomas; Memorials )

HAMISH MCBEAN HUNTER

Son of Dr James and Margaret Hunter "Elmfield", Ashton, (originally of Collieston, Aberdeenshire). Attended Wigan Grammar. Employed Coops & Co. wholesale clothiers, Wigan.
Hamish McBean Hunter :- Lieutenant. 156640 18th Battalion Reconnaissance Corps. Royal Armoured Corps. Died as a result of an accident near Nantwich, Cheshire, 24/9/1941, age 24.
Buried in St. Thomas' Churchyard, Ashton in Makerfield. Line 2. Grave 26.
( On St. Thomas'; Wigan Grammar School Memorials )

EDWARD JONES

Son of Richard and Dora Jones, Ashton in Makerfield.
Husband of Lena.
Edward Jones :- Flight Sergeant (Air bomber) 548901 RAF 37 Squadron. Killed in action 26/6/1944.
Budapest War Cemetery, Hungary. Coll. Grave II. D. 4 - 8.
( On St. Thomas'; Ashton Central School Memorials )

WILLIAM LEONARD KELLY

Son of Edward and Ellen Kelly, 175 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield. A William L. Kelly born Liverpool 1922? Attended Ashton Grammar School. Employed as a clerk at Richard Evans offices Haydock. Patrol Leader and Cubmaster at Lord Gerards Scouts. Rugby League player for Scouts - referred to as the Scouts "Flyer" due to his speed.
William Leonard Kelly :- Sergeant (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) 1000480 RAF (VR) 455 (Royal Australian Air Force) Squadron. Killed 13/2/1942, age 21. All members of the crew died when their Hampden bomber from Wigsley, Nottinghamshire, abandoned its mine laying operations and crashed near Lincoln. A newspaper report states that they were killed in action whilst laying mines, against German ships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, over the English Channel.
Buried in St. Thomas' Churchyard, Ashton in Makerfield. Line 2. Grave 55.
( On Ashton Grammar School; St. Thomas'; Ashton Scouts Memorials )

THOMAS LAWRENSON

Son of James Harold and Mary Alice Lawrenson, Ashton in Makerfield. (There is no record of a James Harold andMary Alice marriage. Possibly Scotland/Ireland marriage?The only local James Harold was born Haydock 1894. In 1911 James Harold was living with his family at 78 Lily Lane, Platt Bridge. 4/1/1916 he married Sarah Barton at Prescot. A Thomas Lawrenson(Barton) was born 1918??).
Thomas Lawrenson :- AB( Able Seaman ) D/SSX18662 RN "HMS Diamond". Killed 27/4/1941, age 23. When leaving Naplia, Greece, the destroyer "HMS Diamond" was sunk by German Stuka dive-bombers. The ship was carrying survivors from other ships.
Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 47. Column 3.
( On St. Thomas' Memorial )

THOMAS LOWE

Son of John and Amelia Lowe(Knowles), Ashton in Makerfield, (m. 23/10/1897 Wigan Register Office, John, coalminer, 6 Chapel Street, Ashton. Amelia, Golden Lyon, Ashton). In 1911 Thomas was living with his widower father John, brothers Abraham and John and sisters Sarah Ellen and Margaret at 19 Peter Street, Ashton. Thomas was a younger brother of Abraham Lowe who 5/4/1920 married Mary Elizabeth Holland to become the stepfather of soldier Arthur Holland who was killed in action 7/7/1944 aged 29 (see above).
Husband of Florence May Lowe(Atherton), 18 East Street, Stubshaw Cross, Ashton in Makerfield (m. St Thomas 21/4/1930. Thomas of 177 Princess Road. Florence May of 18 East Street, Stubshaw Cross). Enlisted first day of the war. Served in Dunkirk evacuation. Employed as a belt minder at Bryn Hall Colliery. Leaves wife and 4 children John, Gordon William, Margaret and Joyce
Thomas Lowe :- Gunner. 1057271 115 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Killed in accident in Capetown. 27/4/1942, age 36.
Capetown (Maitland) Cemetery, South Africa. Military Allotment. Grave 96653B.
( On St. Thomas'; Bamfurlong Methodist Memorials )

HARRY MARSDEN

Son of Albert and Edith Marsden(Butterfield?) m Blackburn 1911? Harry was born Blackburn 1917?
Husband of Muriel Marsden(Ormrod), 40 Morden Avenue, Ashton in Makerfield (m. St Thomas 9/6/1940. Harry of 1 Arrowsmith Road, Haydock. Muriel of 40 Morden Avenue). Enlisted 2/4/1940. Served Middle East. Employed as a motordriver by his father Albert, a haulage contractor.
Harry Marsden :- Private. 2934418 The Queens Own Cameron Highlanders. Killed 16/8/1943, age 26. Accidently drowned in military exercise. Knocked over by a wave and swept out of his depth by the current.
Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. 5. D. 3.
( On St. Thomas' Memorial )

WILLIAM NICHOLSON

Son of William and Lilian/Lily Nicholson(Stanley)(m. 5/8/1914 St. Thomas', William, miner, 245 Edge Green. Lilian, 33 Beech Tree Houses, Bryn Gates). William jnr. was born 1915 at 69 Edge Green Lane, Stubshaw Cross.
Husband of Margaret Nicholson(McNulty), 5 Beech Tree Houses, Bryn Gates, Bamfurlong, (m. St Thomas 25/7/1936. William of 251 Edge Green Road, Stubshaw Cross. Margaret of 1 Mount Pleasant, off Nicol Road). Served in N. Africa, Sicily and Italy. Arrived in France 3 days after D Day and was wounded. Collier at Bryn Hall Colliery. Attended Bryn Gates School. Leaves a wife and 2 children, Marion and Sheila.
William Nicholson :- Private. 3134802 7th Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Killed 23/3/1945, age 29, whilst crossing River Rhine.
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery,Germany. 60. B. 7.
( On St. Thomas'; Bamfurlong Methodist Memorials )

ARTHUR OXBURY

Son of Nancy Ellen Oxbury(Cunliffe), 61 North Street, Stubshaw Cross and the late Harry Oxbury. (m. St. Thomas' 23/5/1896, Harry, collier, Long Lane. Nancy Ellen, Stubshaw Cross). Arthur had 4 brothers Thomas(killed in action 11/8/1917), John, Ernest and Harry and 2 sisters Ada Alice and Nellie.
Husband of Lily May Oxbury(Glaze), 70 High Street, Golborne(m. Methodist Church, Plank Lane, Leigh 12/9/1936. Arthur of 97 Plank Lane, Leigh. Lily May of 49 Heywood Avenue, Leigh). Employed as a painter and decorator. Leaves a wife and 1 child, Mavis.
Arthurs elder brother Thomas Oxbry, born 1896, was killed in action in World War One 11/8/1917 aged 21 (See St. Lukes and St. Thomas' Memorial Rolls)
(The spelling of the surname is Oxbry/Oxbury. WW1 soldier is Thomas Oxbry. WW2 soldier is Arthur Oxbury).
Arthur Oxbury :- Gunner. 1703230 103 HAA Regiment Royal Artillery. Killed in anti-aircraft action in England. 28/11/1940, age 28.
Buried Golborne (St. Thomas) Churchyard. Section C. Row 20. Grave 3.
( On St. Thomas'; Leigh Street, Golborne; St. Thomas', Golborne, Memorials )

THOMAS PAINTER

Son of John and Miriam Ellen Painter(Hughes), 12 Mill Street, Ashton(m. St. Asaph 1919 ?). Thomas was born 1923 at 6 Heath Street, Ashton. Thomas had 2 brothers John and Sydney and a sister Mary. Member of Cromptons Recreation Football Team. Employed at Thomas Crompton & Sons, Ashton.
Thomas Painter :- Corporal. 14206699 4th Battalion The Somerset Light Infantry. Killed by an army vehicle 22/9/1944 in Holland, age 21.
Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, Holland. XIX. E. 5.
( On St. Thomas'; Ashton Central School Memorials )

JOSEPH PICKERVANCE

Son of John and Alice Pickervance(Taylor) of Ashton in Makerfield, (m. 17/6/1899 Wigan Register Office, John, coalminer, 2 Marsh Street, Pemberton. Alice, 2 Marsh Street, Pemberton). In 1912 the family were resident at 2 Commercial Square, off Heath Road.
Husband of Sarah Ellen Pickervance(Prior), Ashton in Makerfield (m. St Thomas 19/5/1934. Joseph, miner, of 28 Flora Street. Sarah Ellen of 173 Old Road) .Leaves a wife and 5? children Phyllis( born 229 Old Road, Ashton), James?(St Helens), John?(Newton), Elizabeth and Joyce(both born Ashton).
Joseph Pickervance :- Gunner. 1714349 26 Lt. AA Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 15/2/1946 in Germany, age 32.
Munster Heath War Cemetery, Germany. 4. A. 21.
( On St. Thomas' Memorial )

HAROLD PILLING

Son of James Harry and Sarah Jane Pilling(Cottom), Ashton in Makerfield (m. 4/2/1911 St. Thomas', James Harry, blacksmith, Gerard Street. Sarah Jane, 30 Nicol Lane). Harold was born 1916 at 239 Bolton Road, Ashton.
Husband of Nellie Pilling(Davies), 239 Bolton Road, Ashton in Makerfield (m. Congregational Church, Gerard Street, 1940). Employed Peets grocers, Ashton.
Harold Pilling :- Corporal. 2762173 1st Battalion The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment). Killed 20/7/1943 in action during the invasion of Sicily, aged 26.
Catania War Cemetery, Sicily, Italy. I. E. 12.
(On St. Lukes; St. Thomas'; Congregational Church, Gerard Street; Ashton Central School Memorials ).

JOHN PRICE

Son of Henry and Edith Price(Speakman), Ashton in Makerfield, (m. 15/7/1905 Wigan Register Office, Henry, coalminer, Bolton Road, Ashton. Edith, 323 Long Lane, Bryn). In 1911 Henry and Edith and family were living off Chapel Street, Ashton. John was born 19/5/1918 and baptised 9/6/1918 at St. Oswalds, RC, Ashton.
John Price :- Private. 3453114 1/4th Battalion The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Killed in France 29/6/1944, aged 26.
Ryes War Cemetery, Bazenville, France. II. G. 4.
( On St. Thomas' Memorial).

CYRIL RIGBY

Eldest son of Lancet Archibald and Elizabeth Ann Rigby(Stalker) (m 3/8/1908, St. Thomas' Lancet Archibald, machine hand, Heath Lane. Elizabeth Ann, Gerard Street). Cyril was born 1913 at 2 Bryn Street, Ashton.
Husband of Marjorie Rigby(Peet), Wigan, Lancashire (m. All Saints, Wigan 13/12/1939. Cyril, ships engineer, of 1 Gaynor Avenue, Haydock. Marjorie of 2 Frog Lane, Wigan.).
Cyril Rigby :- 3rd Engineering Officer, Merchant Navy "MV Abosso"(Liverpool). Killed 29/10/1942, age 29. About 700 miles North of the Azores the passenger-cargo liner "MV Abosso", en route from Capetown to Liverpool was sunk by the German U-boat U-575. There were only 30 survivors from 282 passengers and crew.
Tower Hill Memorial, London. Panel 2.
( On St. Thomas' Memorial ).

JOHN ROBINSON

Son of John and Elizabeth Robinson(Abrams), 2 Legh Street, Ashton in Makerfield. ( m. 10/3/1917 Primitive Methodist Chapel, Newton Road, Lowton, John, general carter, 10 Mill Street, Golborne. Elizabeth, 15 Bank Street, Golborne ). John was born in Golborne 1921(address unknown). In 1924 his sister Hilda May was born at 4 Flora Street, Ashton. John jnr. was employed as a hairdresser in Ashton. Attended St Thomas School and Central School.
John Robinson :- Service No.872357. Gunner. Aged 21. 8 Coast Regiment Royal Artillery Hong Kong. Lost on "SS Lisbon Maru" 2/10/1942. No grave.
Sai Wan Bay Memorial, Hong Kong. Column 6.
( On St. Thomas'; Ashton Central School Memorials ).

JAMES SHAW

Son of James and Elizabeth Shaw(Fagan), Ashton in Makerfield, ( m. 17/4/1915 Wigan Register Office, James, drawer in coalmine, 24 Whitledge Green. Elizabeth, 5 Sumners Yard (between Gerard Street & market) ). James jnr. was born 1/5/1917 and baptised 25/5/1917 at St. Oswalds, Ashton.
Husband of Rebecca Shaw(Smith), Ashton in Makerfield, (m. 14/5/1938 St. Oswalds, Ashton, James, 31 Glebe Avenue, Ashton. Rebecca, 163 Back East Street, Stubshaw Cross). Employed as a hingemaker at T. Crompton & Son, Ashton. Leaves a wife and 2 children Mary Irene and Kathleen.
James Shaw :- Private. 3859525 2nd Battalion, The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire). Killed 13/2/1942 during the battle for Singapore, age 24. He has no known grave.
Singapore Memorial. Column 74.
( On St. Thomas' Memorial )

WILLIAM SHAW

Son of George and Matilda Shaw(Webster), Ashton in Makerfield, (m. 16/2/1912 St. James,Chorley, George, stripper and grinder, 18 Gilbert Street, Chorley. Matilda, 15 Frederick Street, Chorley). William was born 1923 in Chorley.
William Shaw :- ERA(Engine Room Artificer 4th Class in charge of engines, boilers etc.) 4th Class D/MX79545 RN HMS "Samphire". Killed 30/1/1943, age 20. Off Bougie, Algeria, this corvette was sunk by the Italian submarine "Platino".
Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 81. Column 2.
( On St. Thomas' Memorial ).

HORACE SHEPHERD

Son of John and Harriet Shepherd(Wilcock), 199 Old Road, Ashton in Makerfield (m St. Thomas' 15/11/1919, John, miner, 334 Church Road, Haydock. Harriett, 36 Old Road). Horace was born 1922 at 3 Skelton Street, Bryn. Horace was a wireless operator and air gunner. A good boxer. Attended Central School. Employed at a branch of Air Ministry before enlisting RAF before age 17.
Horace Shepherd :- Sergeant. 553812 RAF (VR) 209 Squadron. Killed 8/9/1942, age 20, during a patrol over the Indian Ocean. He has no known grave.
Alamein Memorial, Egypt. Column 262.
( On St. Thomas' Memorial ).

JOHN SMITH

Son of Thomas and Sarah Smith(Radcliffe), 15 Back East Street, Stubshaw Cross. (m. Christ Church, Ince 1/1/1909 Thomas, miner, 16 Petticoat Lane. Sarah, 11 Hall Road). John was born 1914 at 338 Bolton Road. Employed at No. 3 mine Garswood Hall Collieries. In 1931 John joined army and served 3 years in India. In 1939 he was called up and sent to France. Served in the Dunkirk evacuation. Attended St Lukes school and Central School.
John Smith :- Bombardier. 835273 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery. Killed in action 14/4/1941, in the Middle East, age 27.
Tobruk War Cemetery, Libya. 3. G. 9.
( On St. Thomas' Memorial ).

THOMAS STEELE

Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Steele(Heyes)(m. Ashton under Lyne 1899, Thomas Steele and Lizzie Hayes). Thomas Steele snr. was born in Golborne. Lizzie Hayes/Heyes was born 1879 at 30/35 Flora Street.
Born 17/7/1915. Baptised St. Thomas', Ashton, Thomas Steele, son of Thomas and Lizzie/Elizabeth Steele, 197 Heath Road, miner.
Thomas Steele :- Fusilier. 3860530 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Fusiliers. Killed in Sicily 5/8/1943, age 28.
Catania War Cemetery, Sicily, Italy. III. L. 4.
( On St. Thomas' Memorial ).

SYDNEY THOMPSON

Son of Albert and Alice Thompson(Hooton), m. 1907 Ormskirk district which covers Southport. Sydney was born in Southport 1913.
Husband of Ann Thompson(Metcalfe), 546 Bryn Road.( m. 6/4/1935 Wigan Register Office, Sydney, colliery surface hand, 9 Low Bank Road. Ann, 255 Bryn Road ). Employed Long Lane Colliery as a colliery carpenter. Member of Ashton Brass Band. Leaves wife and 2 children Albert and Sydney.
Sydney Thompson :- Fusilier. 3457846 2nd Battalion The Lancashire Fusiliers. Killed in action 26/11/1942 in North Africa, aged 29.
Medjez-el-Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia. 18. A. 14.
( On St. Thomas'; Ashton Central School; Stubshaw Cross Independent Methodist Memorials ).

HAROLD TWISS

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has no record of a Harold Twiss. (see below)

LEONARD WHITTLE

Son of Wilfred and Elizabeth/Lizzie Whittle(Webb) (m. St. Thomas 27/12/1913. Wilfred, miner, of 195 Old Road . Elizabeth of 362 Bolton Road), Ashton in Makerfield. Leonard was born 1918 at 297 Bolton Road, Ashton.
Leonard Whittle :- Sergeant. (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) 533685 RAF 58 Squadron. Killed 19/6/1940, age 22. A Whitley V bomber from Linton on Ouse, near York, crashed near Krefeld, Germany. All 5 members of the crew were killed.
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany. Coll. grave 18. A 7 - 10.
( On St. Thomas'; Ashton Central School; Bamfurlong Methodist Memorials).

CLIFFORD WILLIAMS

Son of William Thomas Williams and Margaret Jane Williams(Thomas), Ashton in Makerfield. (m. 2/4/1910 Wesleyan Methodist Church, Queens Road, Ashton, William Thomas, coalminer, 236 Bolton Road, Ashton. Margaret Jane, 222 Bolton Road). Clifford was born 1924 in Ashton.
Clifford Williams :- Private. 14512930 1st Battalion The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire). Killed in Italy 19/2/1944, aged 19.
Anzio War Cemetery, Italy. I. L. 8.
( On St. Thomas'; Ashton Central School Memorials ).

THOMAS WOOD

Son of William and Mary Wood(Durkin), 358 Bolton Road, Ashton (m St Thomas 29/6/1918. William, miner, of 272 Bolton Road. Mary of 214 Billinge Road, Garswood). Thomas was born 1919 at 257 Bolton Road. Employed Mains Colliery, Bryn Gates.
Thomas Woods :- Fusilier. 3452309 2nd Battalion The Lancashire Fusiliers. Killed 22/5/1940 during the withdrawal to Dunkirk, aged 21.
Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium.
( On St. Thomas'; Ashton Central School Memorials ).

In addition 3 soldiers recorded on St. Lukes Memorial Roll but not on St. Thomas's :-

JAMES BATE

Son of Mary Ann Bate(Richards), 15 East Street, Stubshaw Cross, and the late James Bate. (m. St. Thomas', Poolstock 1/8/1908, James, collier, 906 Warrington Road. Mary Anne, 672 Warrington Road). Father James Bate killed in France WW1 3/5/1917 shortly after gaining the Military Medal (James snr. is named on Holy Trinity WW1 Memorial Roll). James jnr. had 4 brothers - Thomas, William, Ralph and Edward. 3 brothers in HM Forces. In the army for 11 years. Before the war served in Egypt. Served in the Dunkirk evacuation and the D Day Normandy Landings. Attended Park Lane Unitarian church, Bryn. Memorial Service, St Peters, Bryn.
(spelling both Bate or Bates)
James Bate :- Sergeant. 3527108 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment. Killed in action 4/9/1944 in France, aged 29.
Pernes British Cemetery, France (Pas de Calais). Plot 4. Row D. Grave 4.
( On St. Lukes; St. Peters, Bryn, Memorials ).

LESLIE MARKLAND

Son of James and Mary Elizabeth Markland(Harrison), Ashton in Makerfield, (m. 18/10/1915 Independent Methodist Church, Greenough Street, Wigan, James, coalmine labourer, 280 Bolton Road, Ashton. Mary Elizabeth, 405 Bolton Road, Ashton). Leslie was born 1918 in Ashton.
Leslie Markland :- Corporal. 3451935 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. Killed 13/10/1944 in Italy, aged 26.
Faenza War Cemetery, Italy. I. E. 5.
( On St. Lukes; Ashton Central School; Stubshaw Cross Independent Methodist Memorials ).

JAMES VALENTINE

Unknown
James Valentine :- Trooper. 14296710 The Nottinghamshire Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps. Killed in Germany 10/2/1945. He had family connections with Wigan. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany. 55. D. 1.
( St. Lukes Memorial ). (see below)

The unknowns -

Arthur Cunliffe
Harold Twiss
James Valentine

ARTHUR CUNLIFFE

If we assume that the Arthur Cunliffe, details above, refers to an Arthur Cunliffe from Ashton, then since the soldier died aged 29 in 1943 he would have been born c1914. Only 1 Arthur Cunliffe was born in Ashton 1912 - 1916. He was born 1914 and is linked to St. Thomas,' Church through his parents marriage -
22/3/1913 St. Thomas', Ashton
George Cunliffe, 21, miner, 13 Low Bank Road, father William Cunliffe, miner
and
Alice Picton, 20, 219 Old Road, father John Thomas Picton, miner.
Born 29/12/1914 Arthur Cunliffe, son of George and Alice Cunliffe(Picton), 219 Old Road, Ashton.

HAROLD TWISS

If we assume Harold Twiss was born in the Wigan area 1909 - 1928 -
1909 -1928 only 2 Harold Twiss

(a)1 in Tyldesley with father born Golborne

(b) 1 in Ashton, born 23/5/1916 son of James and Maria Twiss(Callow). Baptised 2/7/1916 St. James Haydock. (Harold Twiss died 2010, Soughers Lane, Bryn, aged 94).

No other Harold Twiss is found in the Wigan area. The surname Twiss is found locally :-
Elias and Sarah Twiss and family, Back East Street, Stubshaw Cross ( no Harold)
Twiss/Twist surnames in Haydock - Clipsley Lane/Blackbrook Road/Kenyons Lane.(no Harold)

JAMES VALENTINE

1909 - 1928 only 2 James Valentine
1 1924 Ashton
1 1920 Haydock

(a) James Valentine born 15/3/1924 son of Richard and Ellen(Nellie) Valentine(Dowd) - St Oswalds, Ashton

(b) Born 26/9/1920. Baptised 21/10/1920 St. Thomas', Ashton, James Valentine, son of John and Beatrice Valentine(Aldred), miner, 116 Penny Lane, Haydock ( John and Beatrice married St Nathaniels, Platt Bridge, 1920. )
20/8/1943 marriage St Thomas', Ashton ;-
James Valentine, 22, miner, 114 Penny Lane, Haydock, father John Valentine, miner
and
Bertha Cross, 22, 9 Glebe Avenue, father Robert, labourer
There is 1 child born 1943 and 1 in 1944 with surname Valentine /Cross and none any later than 1944. ( the soldier died 1945).

Both (a) and (b) possible. The soldiers details say James Valentine, in Nottingham, had links to Wigan. Could the link be through coal and the miner from Ashton had moved to work on the Nottinghamshire Coalfield and enlisted in Nottinghamshire?

Also there is another soldier James Valentines death recorded -
Birthplace Lancashire
Residence Lancashire
No. 3450658
Date of Death 26/11/1942 N. Africa
Addiitional - Husband of Elsie Valentine.
(This James Valentine possibly Salford/Manchester area))

There is no way to positively identify the 3 unknowns unless some person in their family provides the answer.

Reference
Second World War Roll of Honour : Wigan - Eric McPherson.